Rick Davis is the Dean and Executive Director of the Hylton Center.
The dream is about to come true. The original vision for what was then called the “Community Performing Arts Center” — as described in a press release from 2005 — called for “three state-of-the-art venues… [including a] two story rehearsal and performance space with seating for 100 in addition to the rooms that became our glorious Merchant Hall and Gregory Family Theater.
You know the next chapter of the story, either from direct experience or from some of my previous musings in this space. Budget issues and fundraising challenges in the middle 2000s forced us to scale back the size of the building – but not its beauty or quality. We opened in 2010 with one amazing Hylton Center – and two of the best theaters anywhere on the planet — but without that third space that our planning indicated was needed more than 15 years ago.
Fast forward to December 3rd, 2019. The rest of the story is about to unfold with the “ribbon cutting” of the Education and Rehearsal Wing. We’re already sneaking into the spaces for meetings and planning sessions and just to stand in awe of this marvelous addition to our world, which includes not one but two state-of-the-art two story rehearsal spaces – one of which will also serve as a lovely recital hall with theater seating for about 150. Along with two classrooms, six practice studios, and a gallery wall that will inspire the artistic soul of all who walk the spine of the building, this Wing more than completes the vision – it renews it, extends it, expands it in response to the growing artistic community that the Hylton Center has helped to nurture in its ten year history.
The hardhat tours are behind us. The dream is ready to be shared. Sometimes the best things in life are worth waiting for!
Rick Davis
Dean and Executive Director